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Justice News

Somersworth Man Pleads Guilty To Illegal Possession Of Four Firearms

Concord, N.H.— United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice announced that Joseph Ruhland, 42, of Somersworth, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to a federal indictment charging him with the illegal possession of four firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

According to the indictment, statements made in court, and other public records in the case, the government received information in June 2015 that Ruhland was in possession of multiple firearms at his home in Somersworth, New Hampshire. Ruhland is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law as a result of a prior felony conviction. Following the issuance of a court-ordered search warrant for Ruhland’s residence, law enforcement recovered: (1) a Sig Sauer, Model P250, 9 millimeter pistol, loaded with 10 rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition; (2) a High Standard, Model Double-Nine, .22 caliber revolver, loaded with 9 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition; (3) a Cobra Enterprises, Model C22LR, .22 caliber Derringer pistol; (4) a Haskell (Hi-Point), Model JHP, .45 caliber Pistol; and approximately 45 rounds of assorted additional ammunition. A federal indictment charging Ruhland with illegal possession of the firearms was returned by a grand jury sitting in Concord on October 7, 2015.

Ruhland’s plea agreement includes a binding stipulated sentence of 30 months’ incarceration. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 1, 2016, in front of U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty. At that time, the Court will decide whether to accept the plea agreement and impose the agreed-upon period of incarceration, as well as any other conditions of Ruhland’s sentence.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives with assistance from the Somersworth Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.